Update: Ford no longer does stud install...

[metstroke06]

I've called numerous dealers with recommendation from people on here that they do head studs.... Spoke with the proper people that were recommended to me to talk to. and ALL have told me they recently no longer do head stud installation as ford will now not allow it. I then proceeded to call every Dealer in San Diego to Los Angeles and they all said no. Lists includes: Kearny Mesa, Mossy, Drew, Fuller, El Cajon, Perry, Encinitas, Homor Heller, Ken Grody, North County, Santa Margarita, Tuttle Click, Sunrise in Fontana, Fritts, and Raceway... THEY ALL SAID NO!

Here is the reason why: Ford has a procedure for the head gaskets which don't involve pulling the cab off or removing the engine. Both save time and money. In order to do head studs I was told the labor is more extensive. Ford dealers are now no longer doing it because when a truck comes to the shop wanting head gaskets replaced and they already have head studs, ford will not pay for the extra labor and cost to have them done again. Ford has RECENTLY made a strict policy saying they won't warranty work with head studs.

What I was told the only way I could have head studs installed would be if I personally knew a tech who would not comply with ford's rules and would be willing to do the labor either for a friend or with a paid compensation. With that being they could lose their job on their own accord. From the techs I spoke to, they all sounded unwilling to lose their job with compensation $$.

I received PM's regarding certain dealers from members in this forum and spoke with the people who they knew, and they told me sorry they no longer do them.

So if anyone in Southern California who now wants head studs to be installed through warranty, I hope you have a buddy diesel tech who will do it for you. For those who have told me otherwise and state on here they Ford does warranty head stud installation, give them a call and ask. I'm guessing california dealers and techs are more unwilling to go against fords policies. Sounds to me the small town dealers are more opt to performing this procedure to its customers.

[topdwg]

Well drive cross country to NC and buddy of mine who's a diesel tech at the dealership here in town will do them for you. He put mine in for $500, plus materials. You'd pay a little more, but not much...

[blackbullitt]

Originally Posted by topdwg

Well drive cross country to NC and buddy of mine who's a diesel tech at the dealership here in town will do them for you. He put mine in for $500, plus materials. You'd pay a little more, but not much...

how much would he charge if i didnt need it done? just to install studs if you know what i mean. the dealership wouldnt put them in for me either.

[topdwg]

Well, that was my situation. I didn't need it done, just wanted to do some preventative maintenance. It was a side job he did for me on one of the weekends he was off at the dealership. On the days he's off he's allowed to use his bay to do stuff like that. As for price I'm not sure, I think he charges 35 or 40 bucks an hour, I'd have to ask...

[Vizsla]

No Ford dealer was ever allowed to put in studs. It has always been done on the down low, but I'm sure if they are cracking down that the people posting that they got their dealer to put them in might have something to do with it? It is bs about having to pull the engine or cab to do studs, they can be installed without either.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by Vizsla

No Ford dealer was ever allowed to put in studs. It has always been done on the down low, but I'm sure if they are cracking down that the people posting that they got their dealer to put them in might have something to do with it?

This is correct.

Dealers were never allowed to do studs under warranty. If caught the tech always risked loosing their job and the dealers risked a very heavy fine. Some dealers take the chance. Some dont

[Gator0175]

The one around here that did them hasnt for a few months now thanks to managment crackin down on them and i was just gettin ready to have mine put in

[blackbullitt]

Originally Posted by topdwg

Well, that was my situation. I didn't need it done, just wanted to do some preventative maintenance. It was a side job he did for me on one of the weekends he was off at the dealership. On the days he's off he's allowed to use his bay to do stuff like that. As for price I'm not sure, I think he charges 35 or 40 bucks an hour, I'd have to ask...

yea ask him and let me know, i could take a vacation down there for a few says, i live in ohio so it would be worth the drive. you can just pm me if you want. thanks man

[anaconda33]

Originally Posted by metstroke06

I've called numerous dealers with recommendation from people on here that they do head studs.... Spoke with the proper people that were recommended to me to talk to. and ALL have told me they recently no longer do head stud installation as ford will now not allow it. I then proceeded to call every Dealer in San Diego to Los Angeles and they all said no. Lists includes: Kearny Mesa, Mossy, Drew, Fuller, El Cajon, Perry, Encinitas, Homor Heller, Ken Grody, North County, Santa Margarita, Tuttle Click, Sunrise in Fontana, Fritts, and Raceway... THEY ALL SAID NO!

Here is the reason why: Ford has a procedure for the head gaskets which don't involve pulling the cab off or removing the engine. Both save time and money. In order to do head studs I was told the labor is more extensive. Ford dealers are now no longer doing it because when a truck comes to the shop wanting head gaskets replaced and they already have head studs, ford will not pay for the extra labor and cost to have them done again. Ford has RECENTLY made a strict policy saying they won't warranty work with head studs.

What I was told the only way I could have head studs installed would be if I personally knew a tech who would not comply with ford's rules and would be willing to do the labor either for a friend or with a paid compensation. With that being they could lose their job on their own accord. From the techs I spoke to, they all sounded unwilling to lose their job with compensation $$.

I received PM's regarding certain dealers from members in this forum and spoke with the people who they knew, and they told me sorry they no longer do them.

So if anyone in Southern California who now wants head studs to be installed through warranty, I hope you have a buddy diesel tech who will do it for you. For those who have told me otherwise and state on here they Ford does warranty head stud installation, give them a call and ask. I'm guessing california dealers and techs are more unwilling to go against fords policies. Sounds to me the small town dealers are more opt to performing this procedure to its customers.

Not to sound like a jerk, but did you really expect a tech to admit to someone he didn't know over the phone that he was willing to break his employers rules? You would have better luck if you took the person who referred them to you with you when you went to the dealership and asked in person.

[Slowrx]

It still comes down to who you know. I got mine done "under warranty" because I know the tech. Ford see's that I had a typical 6.0 head gasket fix, the tech gets paid for the job plus some side money and everyone is happy. Cost me 150 bucks for everything (not including the studs).